Jazz brings relief

Updated
October 26, 2013 11:11:00

The remote North West Queensland town of Richmond is better known for cattle grazing than performing arts. Halfway between Mt Isa and Townsville, it is in the grip of severe drought. But this weekend the town will come alive with the sounds of Jazz and Blues music.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: West Queensland town of Richmond is better known for cattle grazing and severe drought than performing arts.

But, this weekend, the town will come alive to the sounds of Jazz and Blues music.

From North West Queensland, Miriam Hall reports.

(Performance of 'Here Comes the Sun' by The Beatles)

MIRIAM HALL: At the small school in Richmond, a group of students is being treated to an afternoon concert

In a remote town like this one, it's not often these kids get the chance to see live music.

Ten-year-old Amelia was in the audience and listened to every note.

AMELIA: I think it was pretty awesome because I barely ever hear music like that, because not many people come out here.

BRANDY: I'm Brandy and I'm seven-years-old and I live out on a property; we don't hear that much music. I've never really heard people play guitars before. Sometimes it is difficult, because I like music a lot.

MIRIAM HALL: Clancey also lives on a property far out of town and he's giving himself music lessons.

CLANCEY: I do the guitar at home. Dad helps me sometimes and mum. I like the rock 'n' roll because it was loud and it was fast.

MIRIAM HALL: Caleb Brown works at the school and, as a musician himself, knows isolation sometimes means these kids miss out.

CALEB BROWN: For the kids there isn't that much and having the blokes come out and play here today at the school was fantastic. If they are seeing someone up on stage playing and seeing sort of the end product of all of your hard work and that sort of thing, it'll make them want to get involved in music themselves.

(Blues player performs "Before You Accuse Me" by Eric Clapton)

MIRIAM HALL: This school concert is part of The Richmond October Moon Festival, which was set up to bring a different type of music to the bush.

Each year, interstate musicians come out to Richmond to play alongside locals who love performing.

It raises money for music lessons for kids in the region and gives locals the chance to enjoy live music without going to the city.

Grazier Kacie Lord started the festival to make sure this remote community isn't at a disadvantage.

KACIE LORD: For a small community, I think we've been really successful. I think it's really important to come together as a community to do something special - to see your friends, have an afternoon out, swap stories about the drought if that's what floats your boat or talk about something completely different. Just for one afternoon. I think psychologically, it's really important that people do that.